A/n: Wow with my other story that was written purposely bad had gotten 20 reviews I would have hoped that I would have gotten a little more for this one…maybe I should stick to one shots? Anyways here is the third chapter for all of you who are actually reading this story. I don't know if I will be updating after this though not unless I get more reviews that is

Self Preservation

Chapter 3: How to say it.

Kagome's POV

Returning to the feudal era felt like the most natural thing I did anymore. However, these cloths felt a little odd. I mean for the past four years I had been wearing my uniform most of the time. I never actually started wearing pants until about a week ago. Inuyasha put his arm around my waist as we jumped out of the bone eaters well. As much as he seemed to be a jerk, when it was just me and him it felt like he was most himself. As if when Miroku, Sango, and Shippo were around he had to put on the whole "tough guy" act. When he set me down on the ground, he did it so gently it was almost creepy.

"Inuyasha?" I said making his name a question.

He looked at me as he leaned down to pick up my backpack, which he carelessly tossed out before ascending with me in his arms.

"What?" He questioned roughly.

I smiled; I don't even know why I said his name. I didn't have a question to ask him, or a favor to ask. Therefore, I shook my head and just smiled. The sun was shining brightly down on the two of us and looking up into the perfect blues of the sky, I felt freer then I had in a long while. No Kikyo to come and take Inuyasha away. No Naraku, to dampen the mood. It was so perfect I almost pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

"Kagome, what did you want I don't want to just stand here all day." He said to me, and I could tell he was getting frustrated…he was so cute when he was frustrated.

"It was nothing Inuyasha, I just can't help but notice how peaceful it seems to be right now." I replied.

All he replied with was a "hmm" noise, which was good enough for me. At least we weren't yelling at each other…yet.

Inuyasha's POV

Standing in the sunlight, by the old well I looked to see Kagome smiling at the sky. She was happy, now that Naraku was out of the way. It was peaceful again. The jewel sparkled in the sunlight. After we had defeated Naraku, and Kikyo was laid to rest, I decided that I didn't want to change. I guess Kagome was the main reason why. She made me realize that I was perfectly fine the way I was. I didn't want to be full demon if it meant losing everything, I worked so hard to get.

"Inuyasha?" came Kagome's voice, it was soft like the wind.

I looked up to see Kagome's blue eyes looking directly to me. She looked so peaceful, and I wanted to suddenly run to her. But I didn't; I didn't want her running home again.

"What?" I questioned.

She opened her mouth again as if about to reply and then shut it. She wanted to say something, but something kept her from it. I felt my stomach go all weird, it was frustrating. Here she was, we were alone, and yet I still couldn't do anything.

"Kagome, what did you want I don't want to just stand here all day." I replied trying to sound mad at her.

"It was nothing Inuyasha, I just can't help but notice how peaceful it seems to be right now." She replied and then there it was again that feeling…

I nodded my head in response and made some acknowledgment that I heard her. It seemed I couldn't speak at the moment. Walking over to stand beside her she looked into my eyes and smiled again.

"Lets go." She said and held out her hand to me.

I took it and tossed the yellow backpack over one shoulder. Walking back to the village together, I was almost afraid. I knew that as soon as Kagome said good-bye to Miroku and Sango, she really wouldn't want to come back very much. I wasn't ready to say good-bye to her. Yet, I couldn't do the only thing that would keep her here. When we got there the very first person out of the small hut, which Kaede resided in was Shippo. He came running at us like he hadn't seen Kagome in years. She let go of my hand just as Shippo made a jump into her arms.

"Kagome! I was so worried you weren't coming back. Stupid Inuyasha always being mean to you!" He said and I had to fight the urge not to hit him.

"Oh Shippo, Inuyasha isn't stupid, and of course I came back I could never leave you here by yourself for to long." Kagome replied and pulled a sucker out of her pocket for the kit.

He took it greedily and shoved it into his mouth after throwing the plastic covering to the ground. Kagome picked it up and pushed it into her pocket. She once explained she didn't want to chance leaving something like that here just in case. I didn't really get it but I didn't feel like having her explain it in a lengthy lesson about her time and my time again. I walked the rest of the distance to Kaede's by myself to drop off Kagome's things. I guessed it would be where she was staying since we had no more demons to go after for the shards, which were now fused back into the whole Shikon no tama, which Kagome had hidden in her new black shirt she wore today. Miroku came out right as I was about to go in, if it wasn't for my demon senses we would have bumped into each other.

"Inuyasha, so you have returned." He said.

I just looked at him as Sango emerged behind him and the two went to great Kagome. Entering the hut Kaede was nowhere in site, however I didn't expect her to be. She did have duties as the village priestess. I put the backpack down and peered out the small window to Kagome who was now smiling brightly at our friends. Shippo was showing her some sort of new magic trick he learned in our absence and Sango was trying to keep Miroku from his usual habits. Kagome looked in my direction and caught me staring at her, but I couldn't turn away her blue eyes were so intense and then she flushed a slight pink. She gave me her smile, the one she kept just for me and turned back to Shippo. I hid my face after that and slid down the wall. I wanted to tell her, but how could I? And what would I say? Kikyo was the first person I ever loved, and I told her that as she practically killed me. Would I have to wait for something that bad to happen again before I could say something?

A/N: wow sorry for the short chapter, I can usually write more, but that just seemed like a good stopping point. Well reviews please and I will update! Anyways if you all want to do me a favor, will you read my other Inuyasha fanfics? You see I am trying to win a bet with my friend to see who can get the most reviews. Anyways thanks again for reading and even if you don't review for my other stories I still love you! Oh and if you're as much as an Inuyasha fanatic as I am you might find this interesting, it's the actual purification spell Kagome would have to use to purify the Shikon Jewel.

Shinto Priestess Purification Prayer

Takama no Hara ni Kamu tsumari masu Kamurogi kamuromi No mikoto michite Sume mi oya kamu. Izagnagi no mikoto, Tsukushi no, Higuma no, Tachibana no, Odo no. Awagi hara ni Misogi harai tomo Toki ni maseru. Harai dono ookami tachi Moro, Moro no Maga koto Tsumi Kekare o Harai tamae. Kiyome tamae to Masosu koto no yoshi. Amatsu kami kuni tsukami Ya o yorozu no kami tachi Tomo ni kikoo shime seto Kashi komi kashi komi Ma-o su.

English Translation:

On the heavenly high plain at the center of the solar system divinely sit the god and goddess yin and yang forces in blessing, as the imperial ancestor Izanagi, Tsukushi Province, Himuga Region, Tachibana District, Odo area, Awagi plain. Purified with ablution and at that time brought into being the divine forces of purification that all the various defiling things, sins, and impurities be cleansed and made pure proclaim and request of heavenly spirits of celestial realms eight million divine spirits coming together we petition with reverent. This we respectfully declare.

Yes, I am lame; I actually looked up ancient Japanese rituals and found this…I found it amusing…I don't know if you will but oh well…even lamer is I know it by heart now, both Japanese and English versions…man I have a lot of free time on my hands…